Rothco Knives
Rothco Knives has an 80-year-long legacy of knife-making that its customers around the globe trust. Today their factory floors span an area of 50,000 square feet with an ever-expanding catalogue of over 1,000 knife/tool models.
Rothco’s outdoor and survival knives are used around the globe by hunters, campers, and military personnel because of their durability in extreme environments.
Make a confident choice with Rothco knives for versatility, reliability, and sharpness.
Generations of Reliability with Rothco
The Rothco traces its roots back to 1953 in a small New York City loft. Founder Milton Somberg who started dealing in used clothing and WWII surplus, recognized an opportunity to supply products people needed. Once the surplus started depleting, Rothco evolved into manufacturing, becoming the country’s top supplier of commercial military attire and gears.
Relocating to larger warehouses enabled the company’s rapid growth over the coming decades. First to Brooklyn, then to Long Island as operations outgrew spaces. Rothco’s current home in Ronkonkoma provides convenient transportation access to deliver its renowned customer service.
While every item in the expansive Rothco catalogue – like M-65 field jackets and camping shovels – owes credit to the company’s surplus beginnings, it hasn’t stopped innovating. Today, Rothco serves over 10,000 dealers globally as both a wholesaler and manufacturer across markets like the tactical, outdoor, uniform, and more.
The family-owned and operated business that started in a small NYC apartment continues to equip military personnel, first responders, adventurers, and workers 60+ years later.
Knives by Rothco
Folding and Boot Knives
When it comes to portable blades, Rothco offers both folding and boot knives to fit different carry and use case needs. Folding knives are perfect for everyday utility – with the blade folding into the handle, they tuck away neatly into a pocket or bag.
Meanwhile, the fixed-blade boot knife gets its name from being designed to strap to a boot, leg, or belt for easy concealment and access.
While different in carry style, Rothco’s folders and boots both offer practical cutting performance combined with durability to meet daily demands. The convenient folder works well for common tasks like opening packages, food prep, or even self-defence.
The minimalist boot knife provides a kind of just-in-case backup blade for more discrete or tactical uses. Rothco makes gear to suit military, law enforcement, and outdoor folks who need equipment they can rely on.
So whether you prefer an easy-to-pocket folder or a covert boot blade, they aim to deliver practical, long-lasting cutting tools.
Combat Military Knives & Matchets
Rothco’s range of machetes knives and combat knives are designed for robust military use, outdoor enthusiasts, and survivalists. Two notable examples from their tactical knife lineup are the 18″ D-handle Sawback Machete and the Vietnam Combat Knife.
18″ D-handle Sawback Machete
Clear trails and brush with ease using the Rothco 18D Sawback Machete. This heavy-duty machete features an 18-inch blade made from tough 1095 carbon steel that keeps an edge well. The blade has a silver finish to resist corrosion and rust.
Along the dull top side and the last 4 inches of the sharp side, the blade has aggressive saw back serrations so you can see through small limbs and thick vegetation. The machete has a sturdy black textured ABS plastic handle contoured for comfort.
There is also a lanyard hole in a raised metal section on the end so you can attach a wrist strap. The blade and handle have 5 rivets with brass heads to keep the construction secure even with heavy use.
It comes with a heavy-duty black nylon sheath with a snap closure to protect the blade when not in use. Perfect for situations like clearing brush at the campsite, building shelter, or harvesting firewood. Its aggressive sawback teeth let you power through limbs up to 1 inch thick with ease.
Rothco Vietnam Combat Knife
Bring an iconic piece of military history to the field with the Rothco Vietnam Combat Knife. Inspired by the knives carried by soldiers during the Vietnam War, this robust fixed-blade knife is ready for action.
The knife features a 6.25-inch blade made from polished 420 stainless steel that maintains a razor-sharp edge even through rugged use. Its clip-point profile gives you precise piercing capability and ample belly for slicing.
There is a fuller groove to reduce overall weight while adding structural rigidity. The blade has a non-reflective black oxide finish that improves corrosion resistance and camouflages the knife.
It has a rugged ribbed rubber grip that ensures a secure hold even in wet conditions. The grip and 5-inch hilt let you choke up on the knife for detail work. The double guard and pommel along with the deep finger groove provide excellent protection for your hand.
There is also a paracord lanyard attached that can be wrapped around the wrist for extra security. At 11.25 inches overall, the Rothco Vietnam Combat Knife has the ideal size and shape for a military-style field knife. It comes with a heavy-duty nylon sheath with an integrated sharpener.
Durable enough for daily carry, yet lethal in extreme situations, this combat knife pays tribute to the brave soldiers of the Vietnam era while offering full-tang dependability for today’s users.
Survival Knives
With a heritage in tactical and military gear, Rothco creates survival knives designed to withstand the rigours of harsh outdoor use. Their product range offers something for outdoor enthusiasts, preppers, and military personnel facing the harsh reality of wilderness survival.
One of their popular offerings is the Rothco G.I. Style Pilot’s Survival Knife, a tribute to the classic knives issued to pilots as emergency gear. It features a durably constructed 5-inch high-carbon steel blade ready for any situation where survival depends on reliable equipment.
If you need something for more demanding situations, the Rothco Special Forces Survival Knife delivers functionality beyond a classic design. Its saw-back blade and hollow handle equipped with an emergency kit transform this knife into a multi-purpose tool for achieving shelter, fire, or defence in extreme surroundings.
Rothco uses hand-selected materials and battle-tested construction methods to ensure knives that won’t let you down, no matter how challenging the environment. Their survival knives offer more than just practical tools. Just as the soldiers and pilots who originally carried these knives, you can count on Rothco survival knives being there when it matters most.
Choosing the Right Rothco Knife
| Feature/Use | Military Knives | Hunting & Survival Knives | Folding Knives | Machetes |
| Primary Use | Combat, tactical operations | Hunting, survival scenarios | Everyday carry, general-purpose tasks | Clearing vegetation, chopping wood |
| Design Focus | Durability, effectiveness in combat | Versatility in survival tasks, durability | Portability, convenience | Length and sharpness for cutting through vegetation |
| Blade Type | Fixed, often with a robust and sharp edge | Fixed or folding, designed for skinning and cutting | Folding, various blade shapes for different tasks | Long, typically fixed blade |
| Size | Medium to large | Varies, often medium-sized | Generally smaller and compact | Large and long |
| Common Features | Often includes a full tang, sometimes serrated edge | May include features like gut hooks, sawback edges | Pocket clip, locking mechanism | Sawback edge, sometimes a hooked blade |
| Material | High-grade steel for strength and durability | High-quality steel, corrosion resistance | Various, depending on quality and purpose | High-carbon steel for toughness |
| Handle Design | Ergonomic for combat grip | Ergonomic for various tasks, often with a good grip | Designed for comfortable and safe handling | Long handle for swinging leverage |
| Portability | Usually comes with a sheath for easy carry | Often comes with a sheath or is foldable | Highly portable due to folding design | Less portable due to size |
| Typical Users | Military personnel, law enforcement | Hunters, survivalists, outdoor enthusiasts | The general public, outdoor enthusiasts | Farmers, hikers, outdoor workers |
| Secondary Uses | Utility tasks in field operations | Food preparation, wood cutting in the wild | Utility tasks | Can be used as a tool in agriculture |
STL Tacticals for Rothco
When your survival depends on having a reliable knife, you need the very best blades to prevail. That’s why STL Tacticals offers a complete selection of battle-tested knives from Rothco.
Choose from a wide range of fixed and folding knives designed for any situation, including iconic military knife designs and knives purpose-built for hunting, bushcraft, and wilderness survival. Maintain the razor-sharp edge on your Rothco knife with AccuSharp’s premium sharpeners – also available at STL Tacticals.
Get even more value with special savings and promotions. Receive fast shipping and convenient 30-day returns to make getting the ideal Rothco knife for your needs completely risk-free.
Rothco Warranty
Got a Rothco knife that needs returning? Rothco offers a straightforward 30-day policy to make the process super.
If the knife, sheath, or accessory is still new but just isn’t your style, send it back. As long as the company gets it within 30 days of delivery, you get all your cash back. The company will refund everything except the original shipping and return cost.
You can expect the return to be processed in around 10-15 days once the item reaches the company.
FAQs
Is Rothco a military supplier in the USA?
Rothco is the foremost supplier of knives for military, tactical knives, survival knives, and outdoor products.
Where are Rothco knives made?
Rothco, although a U.S.-based company, does not widely publicize the specific manufacturing locations of its knives. Only some of their products are officially claimed to be made in the US.
Does Rothco offer a lifetime warranty?
No, Rothco does not offer a lifetime warranty on its knives. The company offers a quick 30-day return policy.